South Africa's support was a crucial element of the April elections, both in the sense of material assistance, and in the confidence instilled among the internal settlement leadership by the prospect of more overt military and economic collaboration between the South African authorities and those of "Zimbabwe-Rhodesia". The pretext which an ostensibly black majority rule government in Rhodesia provides for a more aggressive and interventionist policy on South Africa's part has always been one of the most significant implications of the Smith regime's internal settlement agreement.
Publicly, South Africa's role consisted of helping with the logistics of the election exercise. The SA Prime Minister Mr. P.W. Botha announced on 10 April that his government would help to transport foreign observers, newsmen and election officials through the Rhodesian war zones. The transport envisaged was expected to include military vehicles, helicopters and possibly transport aircraft. Two large Puma helicopters of the South African Air Force were subsequently reported at Salisbury International Airport. Dakota aircraft accompanied by South African pilots, C130 transport aircraft and trucks were among other equipment and personnel made available – much of which is likely to have been left behind for the use of the Rhodesian security forces now that the elections are over.
Privately, there would seem no doubt that the South African back-up was very much more extensive than this, and that it will continue. While Mr. P.W. Botha has indicated that South Africa is unlikely to recognise the new government of "Zimbabwe-Rhodesia" immediately, the elections in Rhodesia have taken place at a time of renewed speculation on the establishment of a "defensive alliance" of Southern African states under South African military hegemony. Key aspects of the plan, as outlined by the SA Foreign Minister Mr. Pik Botha at a gathering of South African diplomats in Zurich in March, are "the negotiation of firm trade and defence agreements" with Rhodesia (once Bishop Muzorewa has been installed as Prime Minister), and "the emergence of a Southern African power bloc", encompassing Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi and the former protecto-rates, and with South Africa's economic and military power as the linchpin. Other spokesmen to publicly approve this blueprint include Mr. P.W. Botha and President Vorster, Mr. Ian Smith and the Rhodesian Commander of Combined Operations Lt. Gen. Peter Walls. Most significantly, Bishop Muzorewa has declared his support for increased economic and military co-operation with South Africa insofar as this will ensure a prosperous future for "Zimbabwe-Rhodesia".
While the plan is a revival of South Africa's pre-1975 'detente' policy, the proposed alliance is patently aggressive rather than defensive and has the most serious implications for the security of the independent African countries of the region.
